"Copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting result in significant financial losses to legitimate business and to government, and can threaten the safety of Canadians," said Minister Toews. "Our government is taking concrete action to protect intellectual property."

In September of this year, the Government reintroduced its Copyright Modernization Act (Bill C-11) in Parliament. This was closely followed by Canada's signing of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), an agreement with enhanced international standards for the enforcement of counterfeiting and piracy.

"By reintroducing the Copyright Modernization Act and signing the international Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, our government is sending a clear signal in its resolve to address counterfeiting and piracy," said Minister Toews. "This Government recognizes the vital role that innovation and knowledge-based prosperity play in Canada's economic success, and will continue to take action to protect Canada's economic recovery."